Grain separator



June 26, 192 8.

J. A PERKINS GRAINSEPARATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet l flrroR/wrYa Original Filed Dec. 5, 1923 JoH/v /7. PER/0N6 W,W

c b l D a M i 9 MM 1 6 W W e m n u L ,M V

J. A. PERKINS GRAIN SEPARATOR Original Filed Decl -WMW V flTroR/vEYa June 26, 1928. 5 1,675,048

vJ. A. PERKINS GRAIN SEPARATOR Original Filed Dec. 5, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet. 3'

f/v VENTO/i JOHN H. PEEK/N6 flr TOR/YE rs 1,675,048 J. A. PERKINS GRAIN SEPARATOR June 26, 1928.

Original Filed Dec. 1925 4 Sheet's-She et 4 v, [NVENTG/i M I JOHN- PEEK/N6 ITTaR/VE Ya Patented June 26, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOHN AtPERKINS, F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

GRAIN snrnna'ron.

Application filed December 3, 1923, Serial No. 678,312. Renewed December 24, 1925.

This invention relates to improvements in separators particularly adapted for use in separating from each other, materials of different sizes, and more particularly relates to such separators adapted to separate wheat from weed seeds, wild oats and other foreign materials.

Grain separators such as are commonly used at the present time, usually employ a series of shaking sieves, arrangedone above another in spaced relation, through which the grain is passed for separation. Machines of this type usually have a fan or blower mounted at one end thereof adapted to direct a flow of air through the machine to carry off the lighter materials. These machines have a very limited capacity, and are therefore usually hand operated, their construction being such that it would be in'ipractical to increase theirsize and capacity sufficiently to warrant operating them bypower. lt is also necessary in most cases to pass the material through the machine several times before a good separation can be made.

Other types of machines employ a seriesof disks mounted upon a horizontal shaft within a suitable casing. These disks usually have their opposed surfaces covered with indentations or pockets of such size and shape as to pick out the different size materialsas the disks revolve through the grain.'

The novel separator featured in this invention embodies a different principle of separation from that employed by machines in use at the present time. As here shown, and described, the separating means consists of an endless steel belt arranged at an incline within the casing of the machine and extending from end to end thereof. The

outer exposed surface of this belt is covered with suitable indentations or pockets of different sizes, preferably arranged in groups extending longitudinally of the belt, the groups being arranged progressively across the belt-so that the grain first passes over the smaller pockets whereby the finer seeds aretaken out, and so on progressively for the several sizes of pockets. The grain is delivered onto the belt from a suitable grain feeding mechanism-located at one end of the machine, and is distributed over the surface thereof by a suitable distributing means. The material or grain thus deposited upon the surface of the belt is supported entirely thereby, and as the belt travels upwardly and outwardly from beneath the grain, the

part of this specification,

steel belt smallerpockets or indentations, provided in one section of the belt surface, will pick up the finer particles and materials such as small seeds, dirt, etc, while the relatively larger pockets provided in another section of the belt will pick up-the wheat. During the operation of thus separating the small seeds and wheat from the coarser and larger materials, such as oats which are discharged from the end of the machine, the movement of the belt will cause the grain, deposited thereon, to be thoroughly agitated and will impart thereto, a rolling action. Such ac tion will cause all of the material, or grain to come in contact with the surface of the belt, resulting in a thorough and complete separation being obtained by passing the grain through the machine once only. .It is to be understoodthat the belt is positioned at such an angleas to conveyonly mate rial deposited in thepockets provided in the surface thereof, the coarser material'rolling by gravityback to the lower portion of the belt and across the surface thereof. 1

The particular object of this. invention,

therefore, is to "provide an improved grain U separator of simple and 1neXpens1veconstruction and of large capacity.

Other objectsoffthe invention willmore fully'app'ear from the following description and the accompanying drawingsand will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawings, therehas been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be' understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, its various changes may be made withln the scope of the claims which follow; 7

' In-the accon'ipanyingdrawings, forming Figure 1 is a view in end elevation of my improved machine, showing the means pmvided thereonffortaking up slackin the Figure'Q is a transverse sectional view on less steel belt and its relative position with reference to the hopp'er and the grain fe ed-- 1 111;! mechanism; I

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view lUU the line 2-2 of Figure 3, showing the endv on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. showing how" full widthof the belt and forfdischarging the oats and coarser material from the end of the machine;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, showing the spiral conveyor provided at the rear of the machine for discharging the separated mate rials from the machine;

Figure 5 is an enlar ed detail sectional view on the line 55 0 Figure 3, showing how the grain is delivered onto the inclined surface of the steel belt and also showing the rolling action of the grain when the machine is in operation;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 3, to show the fluted feed roll;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of a. portion of one of the steel sections of the belt, showing the different size indentations provided thereon; a

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 7 showing the preferred form of indentations provided for separating the wheat from the other materials;

Figure 9 is a similar view on the line 99 of Figure 7,-showing the smaller indentations' provided for separating the weed seeds and finer materials fromthe wheat;

Figure 10 is a similar view, showing a modified form of belt;

Figure 1O shows another modified form of belt construction; p 7

Figure 11 is another modification showing a belt having its surface provided with indentations of various sizes;

Figure 12 is a View. in front elevation of a modified form of separator, partially broken away to show the interior thereof; and

Figure 13 is an end view of Figure 12.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there is illustrated a grain se arator having a casing or frame, preferab y of metal, comprising a front wall 14, rear wall 15, end walls 16', top wall 17 and preferably a bottom wall 18.

.An endless belt or apron, composed preferably of a plurality of steel sections 19, suitably hinged together as shown in Figure- 2, is arranged at a suitable angle within the casingv and preferably extends from end to end thereof. The outer exposed surface of this belt is. preferably closely covered with suitable indentations or pockets of different sizes, adapted to pick up different size materials and convey them to the back of the machine. The surface of the belt, adjacent the feeding end of the machine, is preferably provided with small indentations or pockets 20, as shown inFigures 3,7 and 9, of such size and shape as to pick up only small materials, such as weed seeds, wild peas, particles of dirt, etc., when deposited thereon, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. These small pockets preferably cover approximately one-third of the width of the belts surface. The remainder of the belts surface is preferably covered with larger pockets 21, as shown in Figures 3, 7 and 8, of such size and shape as to receive kernels of wheat, and thereby convey them to the back of the machine, the larger materials such as wild oats, barley, small sticks etcf., being too large to be received therein. It is to be understood that the angle or incline of the belt is such that no material can be elevated to the hack of the machine unless deposited in the pockets QOand 21, provided in the surface thereof. It. may be found desirable in the practical use of this machine, to provide more than two sizes of pockets in the surface of the belt, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. As here shown, the surface of the belt is covered with three sizes of indentations, the portion of the belt adjacent the discharge end of the machine preferably being covered with larger indentations 22. Referring to Figure 8, it will be noted that the larger pockets are preferably slightly undercut on the lower side. thereby forming in effect a bucket into which the kernels of wheat may drop and thus be elevated to the rear of the nu'uirhine. By thnsforming the pockets, the capacity of the machine will be greatly increased, more than one kernel may be carried in each pocket, and :llefOtllGle will be less danger of the kernels droppingout of the pockets while being elevated to the re ceivingmeans provided at the rear of the machine. i

The upper portion of the belt is preferably-supported by means of suitable pulleys 23, mounted on a horizontalshaft Q lwhich is rotatably mounted insuitable bearings 25 provided at each end of the machine. shown in Figure 2, the peripheral surfaces of these pulleys are preferably covered with a flexible facing 26 for the purpose of pro- .viding a better contactwith the metallic blocks 27, preferablyjsecured to the inner surfaces of the belt sections 19 in alinemcnt with the pulleys. The flexible facing 26 also functions to eliminate noise and to provide a quiet running machine. Atoothod wheel.

or sprocket 28 ispreferably .mounted on the shaft 24, adapted to cooperate with the spaced teeth 29, secu'redto the belt sections,

for the purpose of providing apositive drive for the belt. In machines of small size and capacity it may be necessary to employ only one such sprocket in which case it would preferably be located in the centerof the machine, the ends of the belt being supported on the facedpulleys 23. If desired, the sprockets 28 may be eliminated, the frictional contact between the belt and the faced pulleys 23 has been found sufficient to drive the belt. In larger machines, however, it has been found desirable to employ two such drive sprockets arranged one at each end of the belt, the central portion of the belt being similarly supported by means of the pulleys 23. I

The lower portion of the belt is supported by means of similar pulleys 31 mounted upon a shaft 32 which is rotatably mounted in bearings 33 secured to a pair of yieldingly mounted brackets 34,- provided at each end of the machine. As particularly shown in Figure 1., the lower ends of the brackets 34 are pivotally connected to the end walls 16 of the machine by means of pivot bolts orstuds 35. The upper end of each bracket is preferably connected to one end of a suiti able tension spring 36, having its other end secured to the casing by means of a hookbolt 37. Elongated apertures 38 are provided in the end walls of the casing to provide clearance for the yieldingly mounted shaft 32, outwardly projecting thercthrough. The above described mechanism functions as a take-up means for the belt, thereby always keeping the belt taut.

The means provided for feeding or dis charging the grain onto the indented surface of the belt consists preferably in the provision of a suitable hopper and feeding mechanism mounted at one end of the machine. As shown in Figures 2, 3,5 and 6, a hopper 39 is provided in one corner of the casing, preferably adjacent the front side thereof; This hopper is preferably formed,

by means of a portion of the front wall 1.4, a portion of the end wall 16, an inner wall a 41 and an end wall 42. Aninclined' plate 43, preferably secured to the front wall 14 of the casing is provided within the hopper and is so arranged as to provide an elongated opening 44 .atone side of the hopper through .which the materiatmay pass for delivery onto the inclined surface of the belt. Means are provided for regulating the How of grain through the opening 44. Such means consists preferably in'the provision of an adjust-ably mounted slide 45 which functions to increase or decrease the length of the opening 44 to permit more or less grain to be delivered onto the belt, as

desired. This slide is preferably supportedv upon a pair of rails 46, preferably of angle bar, seemed to the opposed walls of the hopper, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 6. A. rod 47, having a hand grip 48, is secured to one end of the slide and preferably outwardly projects therefrom through anaperture provided in the endof the casing. By means of this rod the slide 45 may be readily and COIIVBHiGDlJlY'HlOVBCl or adjusted to regulate and control the flow of grain through the opening 44.

Means are also provided in conjunction with the hopper here shown, whereby a uniform and constant flow of grain may be delivered onto the indentedsurface of the inclined belt orapron, while the machine is erably in the provision ofa fluted feed roll 49, mounted upon a shaft 51 which is rotatably mounted in bearings 52 and 53 secured to the end walls of the machine. This feed roll is so arranged that the grain pass ing through theopening 44 is delivered onto one side thereof, and as the feed roll revolves in the direction indicated by the an rows in the drawings, the grain .will be delivered onto the belt in a uniform flow. A yieldingly mounted gate 54 is suitably hinged to the lower marginal edge of the inner wall 41 of the hopper 39, and is yieldably held in normal position, adjacent one side of the feed roll49, as shown by full lines in Figures 2, 5 and 6, by means ofa suitable spring 55. The purpose of thus yieldably mounting the gate 54 is to provide means whereby large materials such as sficks, etc., may pass between the feed roll,

and the gate without causing injury or damage thereto.

As particularly shown in .Figure 3, the.

end of the slide 45, adjacent the rod 47, is preferably bent at substantially right angles, thereby forming a depending portion or plate56, adapted to cooperate with a similar plate 57, suitably secured tothe slide 45, to provide a guide or. hearing for a circular disk 58 rotatably mounted therebetween and carried by the fluted: feed roll 49. The depending plates seam-1 57 are provided with circular apertures of suitable sizeto permit the feed rollto rotate therein without interference. As shown in Figure 6, the circular disk 58 is provided with an apertureso shaped as to conform to theoontour of the feed roll, thereby closing. the

gaps or openings between thelongitudinal ribs of the feed .roll and the bore of the aperturesprovided'in theplatcs 56 and 57.,

llleans are provided for preventing the grain from sliding or falling off the inclined surface of the belt when delivered thereon.

The longi- As shown in Figures2 and 5, a longitudinal plate 59, preferably arcuately formed, is Soi:

bored to the frontwall 1403f the casing and downwardly and inwardly extends therefrom so that its lower terminal edge ust 61 of suitable material, is preferably scoured to the front wall of the machine by brackets 62 and inwardly projects therefrom through an elongated aperture 63 provided in the wall. This brush preferably extends from end to end of the machine and is so arranged as to have its bristles hearing against the upper inclined surface of the belt for the purpose of closing the gap between the lower edge of the plate 59 and the surface of the belt, thereby preventing grain from falling therehetween. 7

Means are also provided for longitudinally feeding and distributing the grain across the full width of the belt or apron. Such means preferably consists in the provision of a spiral feed screw or conveyor 64 mounted on the shaft 51 in abutting relation to the feed roll 19, and extending therefrom to the opposite end of the machine. As shown in Figure 3, this conveyor is preferably arranged at a slight. angle with reference to the shafts 24;. and 32, i. 0., the discharge end thereof preferably slightly higher than the receiving or feed end thereof. ll hr]! the grain is delivered onto the belt at the receiving end of the machine, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, it will tend. to pile up in the so-called trough formed by the inclined surface of the belt and the plate 59, until it contacts with the revolving feed screw 64 and is thereby distributed over the entire width of the belt. By thus arranging the conveyor 64. at an angle, the discharge end thereof will be a greater distance from the belts surface, thereby causing it to dis charge or sweep only the lighter materials from the machine. Referring to Figures 2 and 5, it Will be clearly noted that as the upper inclined portion of the belt or apron travels upwardly, the grain in direct contact therewith will be carried outwardly from beneath the mass of grain resting'upon the belt. All material which is too large to he received in the pockets 20 and 21, will roll by gravity back into the mass of grain, caused by the belt being positioned at such an angle as to convey only the material deposited in the pockets thereof. Thus, the mass of grain resting upon the belts surface will be in continual motion and arolling action will be imparted thereto, as indicated by the arrows in Figures 2 and 5, thereby causing all of the grain to come in direct contact with the surface of the belt resulting in a. thorough and complete separation being made of the different materials.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, a two-way conveyor is preferably provided at the rear of the machine, one end of which is adapted to receive the weed seeds and finer materials, while the other end thereof adapted to receive the wheat. This conveyor preferably consists of atrough 65, extending the full length of the machine and having its ends suitably secured to the end walls 16 of the casing. A shaft 66 is positioned Within the trough and is supported in bearings 67, pro vided at each end of the machine. A right hand spiral 68 concentrically mounted on the shaft 66 adjacent the header receiving end of the machine. The length of the spiral 68 .is substantially equal to the width of that portion of the belts surface which is covered with the small indentations 20. Thus, as the weed seeds are delivered from the beltinto the conveyor or trough 65, they will be conveyed to the head cndof thema: chine and iflischa-rged therefrom into a spout 69. from whence they may be delivered to a suitable receiving means, not shown. A left hand spiral 71 is also mounted uponthe shaft 66, n'cferabl'y in abutting relation with the right hand spiral 68, and extends therefrom to the other end of the machine. This spiral functions to convey the wheat, which delivered. into the'conveyor from the belt, to the tail end of the machine and into a similar spout 72. p i i V A rotary brush 73 is preferably provided at the discharge end of the machine, as shown in liigurc. and, and is supported by means of a shade it rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 75 secured to the end walls 16. This brush is so arranged as to contact with a portion of the belts surface. having a sweeping effect thereon, as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 2. The purpose of the brush is to prevent any large materials such as oats, barley and small sticks, which may partiallydrop into the pockets 21, from being elevated by. the belt anddelivered into tlnwctniveyor at the rear of the machine,

1 This separator may be operated from any suitable source of. power-desired. In Fig-- ures 3 and 4, I have shown the ends of-the shafts. 24, 51, 66 and 74 projecting outward ly from the end wall 16 of the casing, and. suitable pulleys or sprockets may be mounted on these shafts and operated by means of a flexible belt 76, as indicated by thedotted line in Figure 1.. The driving means, however, form no part of. .the present invention and are therefore not shown in detail. Y

In the operation of this novel separator the grain and other material is first delivered onto the inclined surface of the belt, covered with the small indentations or pockets 20, by means of the fluted feed roll 4-9. As the grain is thusdeposited upon the beltthe finer materialssuch as weed seeds, wild peas, particles of dirt, etc., will drop into the small pockets 20 and will be elevated to the rear of the machine and delivered into the conveyor trough 65, as shown in Figure 2, the angle of, the belt being such that the larger materials, which are too large to drop into the small pockets. will roll back onto the constantly moving mass of grain supported on the lower-portion of the belt beneath the feed roll and the feed screw 64-. Due. to the action of the belt traveling beneath it, the grainwill be kept in a constant rolling motion, as indicated by the arrows in Figures 2 andfi, thereby causing all of the grain to come in direct contact with the indented surface of the belt. As the small seeds also have a naturaltendency to settle to thebottom of the mass, they soon come in contact with the beits surface and drop into the pockets 20, resulting in all of the small seeds being separated from the wheat and other material before the grain, deposited upon the belt, is distributed overthe portion of thebelt covered with the larger indentations 21.

As the machine continues to operate, the grain will be gradually distributed over the face of the belt by the action of the revolvingfeed screw G l, and as the kernels of wheat drop into the larger pockets 21 of the belt, they will .inlike manner be elevated to the rear of the machine and be delivered into the conveyor trough 65. As the grain is being thus'conveyed across the indented surface of the inclined belt all of the wheat will be separated from the cats and coarser materials by means of the pockets 2]. being of such size as to pick up only the wheat. The wheat, being considerably heavier than the oats and coarser inaterialsualso has a tendency to settle to the bottom, thereby causing the oats, etc., to float on top of the mass where it will be indirect-contact with the inclined feed screw 64. Owing to the tail end of the screw 64-. being. higher than the receiving end thereof, it will have a sweeping effect upon the coarser material floating on top of themass, resulting in it being swept or conveyed to the tail end of the machine, and discharged into a. separate spout 77, secured to the end thereof.

From the foregoing, therefore, it will be readilyseen that as a result of the rolling and tumbling actions of the mass of grain carried on the belt, every particle of the mass will at some time or other he brought into direct contact with the indented surface of the belt resulting in all the small seeds and Wheat being elevated to the rear of'the machine by means of the pockets 20 and 21, while the oats and coarser material is discharged from the end of the machine into the'receiving spout 77. Thus, a thorough and complete separation will be made of the different'materials.

As shownin Figures '7, 8 and 9, the opposed side edges of each belt section19 is preferably provided'with loops 79, arranged in staggered relation and adapted to interlock with similar loops on adjacent sections,

as particularly shown in. Figure 3. A rod 78 is passed throughthe thus aligned-loops for the purpose of pivotally connecting to gether the belt sections to form anendless belt or apron.

In Figure '10, there is shown a modified belt construction wherein the shape of-the 'entire'length of the belt-section. The rear or following edge of each section 19 is preferably bent downwardly and inwardly to form a hook 85, the end of which is adapted to be fitted into the longitudinal gap 84 provided in the forward edge of the following adjacent section. When the belt sections are thus connected or ioined together, the bottom of the hook 85 will be in direct engage inent with the upper edge of the inclined wall 83, which will function as the pivot point between the two sections. It will also be noted that when the belt sections are thus joined together, the pivot point therebetween will be in aligmnent, substantially, with the outer indeutedsurfac'es of the'belt sections, thereby providing a joint or hinge which will not open or gap when passing over the peripheries of the pulleys or sprockets, thus preventing any materials or small seeds from getting thereinto. In the drawings, I have shown the loop formed in the leading edge of each section and the hook 85 in the rear or lagging edge thereof.- It is to be understood, however, that the sections maybe reversed if desired, so that the hooks 85 will be on the leading edge of each section, as they will function equally well in either direction of movement.

In Figure 10*, there is shown another form of belt construction wherein a circular loop 86 is formed on one edge of each belt section, which similarly extends from end to end ofthe section. A longitudinal gap 87 is similarly provided to receive the hook 85 in a manner similar to that shown and described with reference to Figure 10.

In Figures 12 and 13, there is shown a modified form of separator employing an inclined shelf82 to prevent the grain from sliding off the belt, in place of the curved plate'59, shown in Figures 2 and 5. This shelf extends from end to end of the machine and preferably has its receiving or headend slightly higher than the opposite or discharge end thereof. .A brush 83 is secured to the lower edge thereof adapted to contact with the surface ofthe belt to closethe gap between thefshelf and the belt.

Thus when the grain is fed through the feed roll 49, from the hopper 39, it will drop into the V-shaped trough formed by the clined surface of the belt andthe shelf '82.

As the belt travels, it will impart to the material deposited thereon, a rolling action,

as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and Such rolling action w ll lower than the receiving end thereof. As the grain and other material thus travel across the indented surface of the belt, all

small seeds and particles will first be separated therefrom by means of the small indentations or pockets 20. As the larger ma .terial continues to travel across the face of the belt it will be brought into contact w th the larger pockets 21 which will pickout all the wheat. In Figures 11 and 12 the belt is shown as having three different sizes of pockets, the largest pockets 23, being adapted to pick out such material as durum wheat which is too large to be elevated by the pockets 22. The coarser material such as wild oats, barley, sticks, etc., will be dis charged out through the end of the machine into the spout 77. In Figure 12, the rotary brush '73 has also been eliminated as it may be found practical to operate the machine without it.

\Vhile I have described the machine par ticularly for separating wheat from seeds and coarser material, it will be understood that I do not limit myself to separation, of

any particular grain, as the machine may be used for separating other grains such as barley, rye, rice. legumes etc.

Furthermore, I have disclosed in the foregoing specification and the drawings the preferre d form of my invention but I do not limit myself to the details of construction shown and described except as the same come within the scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A separator comprising a frame, a flexible belt movably mounted at an angle on said frame. the outer exposed surface of said belt having indentations formed therein, adjustable means adapted to regulate and control the flow of material discharged onto the indented surface of said bclt,and means for holding all except the coarser material in said separator until a complete separation thereof has been obtained and meansfor collecting the coarser material at the'top of the-mass and discharging it laterally fro1n- ,said frame.

2. A separator comprising a frame, an inclined belt supported upon said frame, the

outer exposcd surface of said belt having longitudinally extending groups of different sized indentations progressively arranged across the face thereof, with the smaller .indentations adjacent the receiving side of the belt. a hopper, an adjustably mounted slide, a feed roll, and means for horizontally distributing the material across the indented surface of said belt, and means for discharging the coarse material and holding the liner material in said separator until a complete separation thereof has been obtained,

3. A separator comprising a frame, an inclined belt having an indented surface, and feed means mounted within said frame, and extending transversely thereof.

4. A grain separator comprising a casing, a belt having an indented surface arranged at an angle therein, a feed screw arranged at an angle within said casing, and means adapted to prevent the grain and other materials from falling off the lower inclined surface of said belt.

5. A separator comprising in combination a casing, a flexible belt arranged at an an le and supported by said casing, a material elivering means, a feed screw adapted to feed the material across the indented surface of said belt and to discharge the coarser material from said casing.

6. A machine of the class described comprising a suitable frame, a separator mounted therein and having an inclined separating surface provided with indentations or pockets, and means operating through the upper portion of the mass of material for feedin and deliverin the coarser refuse material at one side of said separator while the finer material is collected in said pockets.

7. A machine of the class described com prisin a frame, a separator mounted there in an having an inclined surface provided with indentations or pockets, means for delivering the material to be separated upon said separator, the seeds and finer material working to the bottom of the mass and being collected in said pockets, and means on the discharge side of said separator for receiving the material so separated and discharging the finer material on one side of said separator and the coarser material on the other side.

8. A se arator comprising a casing having a disc large opening at one side thereof, traveling conveying means for supporting and agitating the material tocause the finer material to gravitate to the bottom of the pile, and means for holding the material on said supporting means i and directing it transversely towards said discharge opening.

9. A separator comprising a casing having a discharge opening, means having a separating surface for receiving the material and agitating the same to cause the liner material to gravitate to the bottom of the pile, and means operative in the pile at an angle to said separating surface to remove the coarser material and deliver it to said discharge opening.

10. A separator comprising a casing for material to be separated, means, for supporting the material and agitating the same I the'bottom of the pile, andimeans' operatingthrough the top of the pile for removing the coarser material. 4

11. A method of separatin comparatively light and coarse "rn'aterial rom finer and heavier material which consists indelivering the mixture to the pocketed surface of a separator, agitating the sameto cause the lighter and coarser material to seek the top of the pile white the liner andhcavier material works to the bottom and is 'oll.octed in the pockets of the separator, and then sweeping through the top of the pile transversely of the separator to collect and dis charge the lighter and coarser material.

12. A' Separator comprising a frame, and an inclined flexible belt supported by said frame, the outer exposed surface of said belt being provided with indentations, means for feeding the material onto the inclined surface of said belt and distributing it across the indentations, said frame having a discharge, means for holding all except the coarser material in said separator until a complete separation thereof has been obtained, and means for collecting the coarser material at the top of the mass to be separated and delivering it to said discharge.

13. The combination with a frame, of an inclined separator mounted therein and hav ing indentations or pockets in its surface, means for delivering the material to the in dentations, said. separator having a lateral discharge, and means for holding the material to be separated on saidseparator and directing it transversely thereof across the indentations toward said discharge, said opening receiving the coarse material while the fine material is collected by the indentations of said separator.

1a. A machine of the class described comprising a suitable frame, a separator mounted therein and having an inclined surface'provided with pockets, means for delivering the material to be separated to said pockets to separate the fine material, said separator having a discharge at one side for the coarse material, means mounted transversely of said separator to direct the mass of material across said separator, the fine material being collected by the pockets of said separator during such passage and the coarse material flowing through said discharge.

15. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, a separator mounted therein and having an inclined surface provided with indentations or pockets, said frame having a discharge opening at one side adapted to receive the coarser material and having means for preventing the entrance to said discharge of the finer material, means for delivering the material to be separated to the pockets, theiiner material settling'to the bottom ofthe mass as it'is moved along and entering the pockets, the coarser material working to the top, and means operating through the upper portion of themater'ial 1 for feeding and delivering the coarser mate rial to said discharge, the liner material'beingheld back by said'preventing means.

16. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, a separator mounted therein and having an inclined surface provided with indentations or pockets, said separator having a discharge at one side to receive the coarse and refuse material, means for delivering the material to the indentations and means directing it across said separator, and arotating means operating through the mass of material for feeding and delivering the coarse and refuse material to said discharge.

17 A machine of the class described comprising a frame, a separator mounted therein and having an inclined surface provided with indentations or pockets, said separator having a discharge at one side to receivethe coarse and refuse material, means for delivering the material to the indentations, and a rotating means operating through the mass of material for feeding and delivering the coarse and refuse material to said discharge, said rotating means gradually diverging from the surface of said separator.

18. A separator comprising a casing having a feed at one side of the casing and a discharge at the other side, means for supporting the grain and agitating the same to cause the finer material to gravitate to the bottom of the pile of grain, and means operative in the upper layer of the pile of grain to remove the coarser material from the feed to the discharge and discharge the same.

19. A separator comprising a casing having a feed at one side to deliver the materialing a material receiving entrance and a discharge, moving means having pockets to agitate and separate the material into coarser and finer portions and means for directing the material across the pockets of said moving means, said directing means bein positioned to sweep the top of the pile o material and direct the coarse and refuse material toward and through said discharge.

21. A separator comprising a casing having openings to receive the material and discharge the same, means moving at an incline to agitate the material. and having pockets or indentations toremove portions of material from the bottom of the pile, means operative in the upper layer of the pile of material to spread the same over said inclined means and discharge the coarser material that has risen to the top of the pile through said. discharge opening, and means operating to dislodge from said pockets the coarser particles Which may have fallen therein to return the same to said pile.

22. Aseparator comprising a casing having openings to rcceivethe material and to discharge the same, and means moving at an incline to receive the material and agitate it and having pockets orindentations to remove portions of material from the bottom of the pile, means operative to distrlbutethe material oi'er said incllned means and discharge the coarser material through said 23. A separator comprising a casing having a discharge opening, a traveling belt having a separating surface for receiving and agitating the material to cause the finer material to ravitate to the bottom of the pile, and inc ined' means for directing the material across said supporting surface and delivering the coarser material to said discharge opening. a

In witness whereof, Ihave hereunto set my hand this 10th dag; of November, 1923. a J HN A. PERKINS. 

